Ask Fashion Girl

Dear Nicole:

This is such a common problem. I hear it from girls all the time. Bringing cute clothes home from the store isn't the only requirement for having a wardrobe that works! We have to take into consideration what we already have in our closet and plan accordingly.

Familiarize yourself with the items in your closet that are “orphans” and that you'd like to wear more often. Then, when you go shopping, look for things in colors and styles that coordinate with those items. For a while, don't buy anything unless you already have something in your closet that will go with it. This is the way to avoid ending up with a bunch of random, jumbled pieces that don't fit together at all.

If you do fall in love with something that doesn't fit into your existing wardrobe, make sure to buy something that does go with it within the next month—otherwise, return it! (Most stores allow this. Make sure you check the return policy before buying.)

Another thing you can do now to pull your wardrobe together quickly and inexpensively is to buy a few items from Target, K-Mart, Wal-Mart, or Ross in a neutral shade—such as tops and bottoms in black, white, or shades of beige.

Happy shopping!

Sincerely,